1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping

Is Heavenly Bamboo a True Bamboo?

By David Beaulieu, About.com

Question: Is Heavenly Bamboo a True Bamboo?

No. Heavenly bamboo is another bamboo-imposter....

Answer:

"Heavenly bamboo" is simply a nickname for nandina (Nandina domestica). Nandina is an evergreen shrub in planting zones 6-10 and reaches about 8 feet in height (although dwarf nandinas do exist). Its stems resemble bamboo, thus the nickname. Nandina produces white or pinkish blossoms that occur in terminal clusters. During the fall, so-called "heavenly bamboo" diplays red fall foliage; in winter, it bears red berries. This attractive specimen can sometimes be an invasive plant outside its native range (East Asia).

In the final FAQ we'll take a look at one more bamboo-imposter....

Ahead to > Next FAQ

Back to > Bamboo Plants FAQ Index

Back to > Index to All FAQs

More Landscaping Q&A

Explore Landscaping

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Home & Garden
  3. Landscaping
  4. Landscape Plants
  5. Tropical Plants
  6. Bamboo Plants
  7. Heavenly Bamboo

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.